Media Endorsements in ON Election

[MiddleClassCentrist]

Article Link

Personally, I don't really like when Media endorses any party.

But for that matter, federal or municipal politicians shouldn't be endorsing parties either.

[i edited the title to better represent the content]

Edited October 4, 2011 by MiddleClassCentrist

[Michael Hardner]

Uh... Don't the editorials do this every election?

Surprising to me that the Globe did this.

[capricorn]

Article Link

Personally, I don't really like when Media endorses any party.

I doubt these editorial endorsements sway voters one way or another. By this time, most voters have solidified their votes and short of a major gaffe by their chosen candidate/party or outbreak of a scandal won't change their vote. The details of information contained in the endorsements, not necessarily who is endorsed, may actually simply confirm that choice in the voter's mind.

Speaking of endorsements, the National Post endorsed the PCs. Of all the endorsements I have seen that is the only one that mentions events at Caledonia.

Bad as Mr. McGuinty’s fiscal record has been, his greatest moral failure had nothing to do with dollars and cents. Rather, it was his abandonment of the residents of Caledonia to lawlessness and disorder. In 2006, swathes of that small town came under the control of native thugs opposed to a real estate development on contested land. Subsequently, non-native residents were terrorized and driven from their homes, police officers assaulted in broad daylight and public property brazenly destroyed. This went on for several years — and was not some sudden riot or weekend protest march gone amok. The Ontario Provincial Police, much to the embarrassment of the rank-and-file, refused to arrest native lawbreakers, undoubtedly on the orders of a provincial government petrified of managing a racially charged confrontation.

Mr. McGuinty’s political paralysis on this file simply has no honourable explanation. When faced with a choice between a controversial confrontation with Six Nations protesters or appeasing them at the cost of the safety and rights of other Ontario residents, he chose the latter. He is unworthy of another term in office on these grounds alone.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/03/national-post-editorial-board-endorses-tim-hudak-for-premier-of-ontario/

[Wild Bill]

Speaking of endorsements, the National Post endorsed the PCs. Of all the endorsements I have seen that is the only one that mentions events at Caledonia.

Bravo for the Post! Still, it's sad that Caledonia was mostly ignored by the other media, except for that local in Hamilton with the Hamilton Spectator newspaper and CHCH-TV. I guess the native protesters beating up CHCH's cameramen and stealing their equipment was not a way to win favour!

The rest of the country seemed to pretty well ignore the situation, especially Toronto. I guess that's how far values have slipped in Canada if the people no longer care about fellow citizens being denied the protection of the law. McGuinty may win this election and Julian Fantino is a federal cabinet minister. It's like Al Capone being elected Mayor of Chicago!

Edited October 4, 2011 by Wild Bill

[capricorn]

Bravo for the Post! Still, it's sad that Caledonia was mostly ignored by the other media, except for that local in Hamilton with the Hamilton Spectator newspaper and CHCH-TV. I guess the native protesters beating up CHCH's cameramen and stealing their equipment was not a way to win favour!

WB I knew instinctively that the Post's editorial would strike a chord with you. I'm still scratching my head why Hudak didn't raise the matter at any time during the campaign or the debates. I'm thinking his team didn't think Ontarians at large would be aware of what was at stake and had he done so, McGuinty would slither through it, as only a slippery politician can.

[waldo]

I doubt these editorial endorsements sway voters one way or another.

which didn't preclude you from linking to and quoting from the NP, hey?

TorStar: Liberals best choice for Ontario’s future

As Canada heads once again into uncharted economic territory, Ontario needs a government that will deliver the services people rely on, can be trusted to make the difficult decisions that seem inevitable, and also has a vision for a brighter future — along with a plan to get us there. McGuinty and the Liberals are the best choice for the next four years. Their record is a strong one and they are the only party with policies that try to come to grips with the global issues we face.

Under the Liberals, Ontario’s education system has become a world leader. They brought in full-day kindergarten. High-school graduation rates have gone up sharply. And more students than ever are going on to college and university. The government invested heavily in hospitals, doctors and nurses and, more recently, has begun to implement important cost-saving measures in health care. It stabilized our electricity system; the blackout of 2003 is a bad memory and we no longer have to wonder whether the lights will go out again.

Their plan for the next four years would build on those achievements. A 30 per cent reduction in undergraduate tuition for most students would help more young people afford the education they need and on which Ontario’s future success depends. A tax credit to help seniors retrofit their homes, funding for more house calls by doctors, and more home care will help the elderly stay home longer — and out of expensive hospitals and nursing homes. McGuinty, far more than Hudak, shows he recognizes the need to restructure the health-care system with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention and less costly community-based care.

McGuinty has proven he is willing to make politically difficult but necessary decisions. Indeed, that’s where much of his unpopularity comes from. He did not shy away from bringing in the harmonized sales tax last year to give Ontario businesses the competitive edge they need. He eased the burden on individuals by cutting income taxes and providing interim payments, but the HST remained such a hard sell that his opponents have built their election platforms around criticizing and tinkering with it. Tellingly, though, neither the Conservatives nor the NDP actually proposes to scrap the tax.

On energy, McGuinty would have been more popular if he continued the game that previous premiers played — under-investing in our electricity system and hiding rising costs within the provincial budget. Instead, he made the right decision for Ontario’s future. Hydro bills are higher, but despite the claims by Hudak and Horwath that has little to do with the Liberals’ green energy policies. It has far more to do with investments in new power supply (nuclear, natural gas and hydroelectric), transmission lines and paying down debt left over from previous governments. The suggestion by Hudak and Horwath that electricity will be much cheaper if they win isn’t credible.

The Liberals’ controversial Green Energy Act aims to create the foundation for a future economy. If implemented properly, it will help to create the new, high-paying jobs the province desperately needs. Green energy manufacturing jobs have already begun to replace those lost because of the global recession, a high Canadian dollar and a decline in traditional manufacturing. Now, McGuinty says he plans to “out-compete the world” by further reducing corporate and small business taxes, attracting investment and jobs with trade missions abroad, and fostering new innovative industries with funds for start-up companies.

It’s not a sure bet, certainly. But as a vision and a plan it is far superior to harking back to the good old days of a low dollar and cheap energy, as Hudak and Horwath do. Their nostalgia for a time when a family could achieve middle-class security with little education and a lifelong factory job has led them to propose policies that would ill-equip us for the future. Times have changed, permanently. McGuinty is the only leader who demonstrates a clear understanding that to succeed in the global economy Ontario must move forward, adapt and try new things.

[jacee]

When faced with a choice between a controversia confrontation with Six Nations protesters or appeasing them at the cost of the safety and rights of other Ontario residents, he chose the atter.l

Gee ... they failed to mention $20m or so that McGuinty spent appeasing people of Caledonia ... like the new Mayor.

[Shwa]

WB I knew instinctively that the Post's editorial would strike a chord with you. I'm still scratching my head why Hudak didn't raise the matter at any time during the campaign or the debates. I'm thinking his team didn't think Ontarians at large would be aware of what was at stake and had he done so, McGuinty would slither through it, as only a slippery politician can.

No, Hudak didn't raise it because he would have the results of the Ipperwash Enquiry spit back in his face. Rather a few big mouths take a few lumps than someone being killed.

Ipperwash inquiry spreads blame for George's death

Linden said in his final report, released in Forest, Ont., that he didn't believe Harris when he claimed he never made a racist statement about the occupiers during an informal government meeting with provincial police just hours before George's death.

Commissioner Sidney Linden called for the disputed land along the shores of Lake Huron to be returned immediately to the Stoney Point First Nation, along with compensation.

(CBC) Harris acknowledged during his testimony that he wanted the occupation brought to a quick end, but denied he said, "I want the fucking Indians out of the park," as former Ontario attorney general Charles Harnick alleged during his own testimony.

"After carefully assessing the evidence, it is my view that Michael Harris made the statement," Linden wrote. "I agree with Premier Harris's characterization of the statement … as racist."

Of course, it might be convenient for you to forget Ipperwash, but not so much for Harr..., er, Hudak.

I am sure Hudak hasn't slung any water quality comments towards the Liberals either.

[capricorn]

No, Hudak didn't raise it because he would have the results of the Ipperwash Enquiry spit back in his face.

In this respect, Hudak has no guts.

[Moonbox]

Hudak has no guts period. He has no political instincts either, just like John Tory or Michael Ignatieff. McGuinty's record is so bad you could have put anyone out there with decent public speaking skills and they could have beat him. There literally could not have been an easier opportunity for the PC's to take this election, but Hudak and his advisors are just clowns. From the amateurish attack ads, the stick-to-the-script public speaking and the cowardly platform etc, I don't think they could have done a worse job.

Edited October 4, 2011 by Moonbox

[Wild Bill]

Hudak has no guts period. He has no political instincts either, just like John Tory or Michael Ignatieff. McGuinty's record is so bad you could have put anyone out there with decent public speaking skills and they could have beat him. There literally could not have been an easier opportunity for the PC's to take this election, but Hudak and his advisors are just clowns. From the amateurish attack ads, the stick-to-the-script public speaking and the cowardly platform etc, I don't think they could have done a worse job.

I agree! This is what happens when parties are run by politically correct spin doctors. You get a cardboard cutout of a figurehead for a leader, dressed in a beige suit with brown shoes and tie, a salesman's haircut and all the leadership charisma of a Ned Flanders from The Simpsons! Sadly, that has been the public image of Hudak during this campaign.

The Tories chose the "play it safe" route, counting on having Hudak do nothing to offend even the smallest of demographic groups while expecting McGuinty to just fade out into the sunset. They either forgot or have never known the primary rule of salesmanship - it's never enough to get people dissatisfied with the incumbent product or service. You have to also show that YOUR product or service is a better alternative! There is a natural human urge to stick with the devil you know, even when its pissed you off!

By not following this rule, Hudak has campaigned like a runner with one leg paralyzed, reducing his speed and power to less than half of a normal pace.

Edited October 4, 2011 by Wild Bill